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Every photon counts...
Welcome to the Moravian Instruments web site devoted to cameras for low light imaging in astronomy and microscopy.



NGC1398 galaxy in incredible details.

Image captured by Wolfgang Promper with C5A-150M camera on ASA AZ1500 telescope.

New C1+9000 camera with IMX533 CMOS sensor26.9.2024
 Small and cute from the outside, powerful imaging and research tool from the inside. The C1+9000 camera employs the same IMX533 CMOS sensor like its bigger brother C2-9000, but in a smaller and lighter, symmetrical body. Sensor size approximately 11 × 11 millimeters perfectly fits small telescopes, and 9 MPx resolution can utilize even the high quality optics. Camera superb sensitivity, exceptional dynamic range, very low read noise and dark current are appreciated also by the advanced astro-imagers as well as researchers demanding the best possible data.
C2 cameras with Global Shutter CMOS Sensors now available with GPS receiver17.9.2024
 GPS satellite signal receivers provide not only location information, but also can be a source of very precise (sub-microsecond) timing information. Integration of the GPS receiver with an astronomical camera thus allows very precise timing of exposures. Now the GPS receiver module is available also for C2 cameras with global-shutter CMOS sensors, which are particularly suitable for application requiring precise exposure timing, like occultation observations etc.
The new line of Standalone Filter Wheels29.7.2024
 As opposite to the External Filter Wheels, which are both powered and controlled from a camera, the new line of Standalone Filter Wheels are fully independent on the used camera. They can be used with any other camera or without a camera at all, but they require own 12 V DC power line as well as the USB data connection to the host PC to operate.
SIPS version 4.13.7.2024
 The first minor release of SIPS v4 fixes issues identified especially in the tools newly added to the SIPS v4, like the Program Editor. But the most important additions to v4.1 are new device driver classes for telescope flaps, including calibration covers, and for general switches. So, the list of supported devices is finished, at last for now. The v4.1 should support all major hardware components used to run an observatory.
NGC5128 “Centaurus A” galaxy22.3.2024
 When a technician temporarily swapped a camera on the 1.5 m ASA telescope, located at Mt. Paranal in Chile, for the C5A-150M, Wolfgang Promper took the chance to capture the famous Centaurus A galaxy. Ten 120 s long exposures through photometric Sloan g’, r’ and i’ filters were then combined into this stunning image (g’ filter was used as blue, r’ as green, and i’ as red color channels).
Introducing new C0 and C1 v3 cameras19.2.2024
 The C1 series of small CMOS cameras proved to be sensitive and reliable auto-guiders, which can also capture beautiful images of Sun, Moon and planets. And sometimes even images of deep-sky wonders. Now, in newly introduced version 3, the C1 cameras are even shorter and lighter. What's more, the new C0 cameras employ even smaller and lighter body than C1, but at the cost of lacking sensor air cooling.
New C5S Cameras with Symmetrical Design4.1.2024
 The line of C5 cameras, employing the latest extra-large Sony IMX rolling shutter sensors with up to 150 MPx resolution, was extended with a symmetrical C5S models, intended for the usage in the primary focus of reflecting telescopes. Virtually all characteristics of the C5S cameras correspond to the asymmetrical C5A models. The only differences are the camera head design with the sensor centered around the head axis and the lack of the mechanical shutter, which limitation is imposed by the symmetrical design.
SIPS v4 is released14.12.2023
 The version 4 improves virtually every feature of the previous SIPS version. New hardware devices are supported. Astronomical data processing is more robust and reliable, especially in the edge situations. And the most important new functions include implementation of the REST API, allowing to control SIPS through arbitrary web browser, and build-in, easy to use programming language SPL, intended for programmatic control of observing sessions.
Sun in the Hα spectral line19.10.2023
 Martin Myslivec used his global-shutter C1-5000 based camera to acquire the Sun in the Hα line. See what the C1 camera can achieve on the Sun.
C3 series and C2-9000 cameras with GPS receiver module12.10.2023
 GPS satellite signal receivers provide not only location information, but also can be a source of very precise (sub-microsecond) timing information. Integration of the GPS receiver with an astronomical camera thus allows very precise timing of exposures. Geographic location data, also available to the control software through specific commands, is an added bonus. The new variants of C3 as well as C2-9000 cameras can now be supplemented with a GPS receiver. The GPS module port on C2 and C3 cameras is identical to the one used on C1× and C5 cameras, so all Moravian Instruments camera lines use the same GPS receiver modules.
New Off-Axis Guider Adapter for C5 Cameras28.6.2023
 The C5 cameras are equipped with particularly large sensors, which impose quite big demands for the field of view — the used optics must be able to create high quality picture far from the optical axis. Off-axis guider adapters (OAG) further increase the demands for the size of the field. OAG incorporates a small diagonal mirror, reflexing the incoming light to the guider port, where is the guiding camera attached. And this mirror must be located far enough from the optical axis not to shield the imaging sensor from incoming light. Increased demands for the optics is the reason we did not introduce the C5-OAG together with C5 cameras. But users asked for it, so we introduce it now.
M51 “Whirlpool Galaxy” (C2-9000 first light)26.5.2023
 The image shown here was acquired by Martin Myslivec with a first C2-9000 production camera on the 400mm Newtonian telescope. Despite rather modest exposure times, just 2.5 hours per LRGB channel, the resulting image shows the famous M51 in incredible details.
New C2-9000 Camera with IMX533 CMOS sensor26.5.2023
 The C2-9000 is a perfect starter camera for any serious beginner, regardless if he or she aims to capture beautiful images of deep-sky objects or to acquire serious data for astronomical research. With the sensor size approximately 11 × 11 millimeters, C2-9000 does not demand latest correctors and flatteners, it perfectly works even with common optics. But C2-9000 is not for beginners only, it grows with the user and its high sensitivity, exceptional dynamic range, low read noise and dark current are appreciated also by the most advanced astro-imagers as well as researchers demanding the best possible data. Compact yet robust, time-proven body of the C2 camera allows for all-containing device with mechanical shutter and internal filter wheel, very efficient and regulated sensor cooling and extremely fast USB3 connection. Options do not end here — C2-9000 can integrate with external filter wheels with up to 12 filer positions, OAG adapters, Nikon and Canon bayonets and numerous other telescope interface standards.
C5 Series CMOS Cameras4.10.2024
 C5 camera series is designed to accommodate the latest generation of extremely large Sony IMX CMOS sensors with 100 and 150 MPx resolution and diagonal dimension up to 67 mm. Many of the used sensor properties share the exceptional features of the sensors used in the C3 series, including the 3.76 μm pixel size with the full-well capacity exceeding 50 ke-, very high quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. C5 sensors also offer 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise. Despite very large sensors, the C5 camera head dimensions are the same like the Enhanced Cooling variants of the C3 and C4 series. All these features make C5 cameras the ultimate devices for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research.
Moravian Instruments astronomical cameras in science5.7.2022
 Moravian Instruments astronomical cameras are often presented as tools for getting beautiful pictures of the deep sky wonders. But Moravian cameras have also other side — they are often used to gather scientific measurements leading to world-class research.
C1× Series CMOS Cameras19.9.2024
 C1× cameras employ the same sensors like the C3 series — latest generation of Sony APS and Full-Frame (24 × 36 mm) CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-, rivaling cameras with much greater pixels. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. At the same time the C1× camera head is designed to be symmetrical, with as small front cross-section as possible.
C3 Series CMOS Cameras19.9.2024
 C3 cameras employ the latest generation of Sony IMX CMOS sensors, offering exceptional quantum efficiency thanks to back-illuminated design and very low dark current. Despite relatively small pixels, full-well capacity exceeds 50 ke-. Combined with full 16 bit digitization, perfectly linear response to light and exceptionally low read noise, these cameras are suitable for both aesthetic astro-photography as well as astronomical research. Sensor formats from APS to photographic full-frame (24 × 36 mm) ensure wide field of view and optimally utilize capabilities of the optical systems most commonly used by amateur astronomers.
C4 Series CMOS Cameras26.9.2024
 The C4-16000 cooled scientific CMOS camera sensors offer the same geometry like the CCDs in the famous G4-16000 cameras — sensor size 37 × 37 mm, 9 μm pixels and 16 MPx (4k × 4k) resolution. Also the mechanical design of C4 cameras inherits from G4 Mark II cameras, which makes the C4 camera line fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.
C1+7000 and C2-7000 cooled CMOS cameras replace the G2-1600 CCD camera in research applications2.11.2020
 New cooled CMOS cameras C1+7000 and C2-7000 offer quite large pixels of 4.5 μm, especially compared to majority of other CMOS based cameras available. As CCD sensors, often employing much bigger pixels, are no longer available, even relatively small increase in pixel size of a CMOS sensor significantly increases some key parameters like dynamic range (pixel area and thus also a number of electrons each pixel can accommodate corresponds to the square of pixel dimension).
C1+ Series CMOS Cameras23.9.2024
 C1+ camera models are designed to fulfill the gap between small and lightweight C1 models, intended as Moon and planetary cameras and auto-guiders, and C2 cameras, equipped with active sensor cooling and mechanical shutter and thus intended for more serious astronomical imaging and research. C1+ cameras are able to work as C1 ones, only being somewhat heavier and bulkier, and at the same time C1+ can replace the C2 models, only with slightly less cooling performance and lack of mechanical shutter.
C2 Series CMOS Cameras19.9.2024
 The cooled C2 series CMOS cameras were developed for imaging under extremely low-light conditions in astronomy, microscopy and similar areas. Mechanical design of this series inherits from earlier CCD-based G2 Mark II cameras, which makes the C2 series fully compatible with vast range of telescope adapters, off-axis guider adapters, internal or external filter wheels, Camera Ethernet adapters, guiding cameras etc.
C0 and C1 Series CMOS Cameras19.2.2024
 The C0 and C1 series cameras with global shutter CMOS sensors were designed to be small, lightweight imagers for Moon and planets and for automatic telescope guiding. With proper image calibration, these cameras provide surprisingly good results also in entry-level deep-sky imaging. The used CMOS sensors response to light is linear up to very close to saturation point. So, the C0 and C1 cameras can be used for some entry-level scientific applications for instance in the variable star research etc.
Back Focal Distance of Gx Mark II cameras22.11.2018
 Gx Mark II cameras are available in many variants — individual G2, G3 and G4 series offer camera integration with internal or external filter wheels, Off-Axis Guider adapters, various threaded adapters as well as standard Canon EOS and Nikon lens bayonet adapters etc. One of the distinguishing feature of Mark II cameras is the telescope/lens adapter interface allowing precise adjustment of optical axis (sensor tilt). Despite the vast variability and many options, the Gx Mark II camera system was designed to maintain adapter-specified back focal distance of adjustable adapters on all camera variants.
Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter — Standard, Mini and Micro versions8.12.2016
 Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter allows connection of Gx series cameras (models G0 to G4) to the control computer using Ethernet interface and TCP/IP protocol stack (this means over Local or Wide Area Networks). Single Gx Camera Ethernet Adapter contains four USB 2.0 ports and allows connection of up to four Gx cameras at the same time (regardless of the specific series, cameras can be freely combined).
What can 64 bit operating system do and which driver versions to choose?24.7.2015
 “64 bits” is a new marketing buzz-word in the world of mobile phones and tablets, but it is rather common in the world of Personal Computers. Despite the 64 bit systems are available for many years, especially recently number of newly installed 32 bit systems sharply declines and 64 bit systems dominate. Surprisingly, general understanding what does it mean is very low and particularly baffling is the fact, that 64 bit operating system is (fortunately) perfectly capable to run 32 bit applications. The answer to the question which driver version (32 bit or 64 bit) to install requires understanding of a few concepts.
External filter wheels for Gx CCD cameras19.5.2017
 The ability to capture individual exposures through various filters is one of the key features of the cooled CCD cameras, regardless if being used for scientific research or for astronomical photography. This is why the Gx CCD cameras were designed to include the filter wheel inside the camera head and to integrate filter wheel control into camera control from the beginning. When more than 5 or 6 filters are necessary or the filter wheel has to be used with G4 camera, the filter wheel is too large to be placed inside the camera head. External filter wheel is then the only option.
 
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